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Itinerary

Here is my itinerary for May Any suggestions are appreciated. Rent car in Bratislava and drive to Banska Stiavnica stopping in Nitra. Stay one night in BS. Drive to Spis Castle stay overnight in Levoca. Drive to High Tatras either stay 1 or 2 nights...what do you suggest? Drive to Bojnice to stay overnight with a stop at Orava Castle. Visit Trencin and possibly Cachtice Castle on the way back to Bratislava. Bratislava for 1 night. 5-6 days total. Any suggestions, changes? Thank you for the help.

Posted by
8094 posts

I would assume you're flying into Vienna Airport? If so, just pickup and return the rental car there if that's where you're flying out of. Bratislava is about 30 miles from the airport, but a world away in reality. We spend the weekend there and never heard the first person speak German.

Posted by
4637 posts

Nice itinerary. A lot of driving but mostly scenic. High Tatras - at least two nights. In May high trails are still under snow and closed. In the case of clear weather go up to Lomnicky stit - the second highest peak in High Tatras. You will go by cable car from Tatranska Lomnica to Skalnate Pleso and from there by another cable car to the peak. Views are fantastic.

Posted by
17646 posts

I've been to a few of the places on your list. Always said Slovakia was an under rated gem. You might consider picking two bases, and do day trips rather than moving and packing and un packing every night. otherwise, have a great time.

Posted by
118 posts

Thank you all. If you were to pick 2 bases and travel to all places that I listed. What 2 bases would you pick? Thank you again.

Posted by
4637 posts

In your case having a car it's easier to pack than with going by public transport. With your itinerary it looks it would be simpler to do it your way than having bases. I usually prefer bases when I go by public transport. With a car I many times just stop where I like it and traveled that way in Germany (Rhine), Switzerland, even Cinque Terre in September. Always found place to sleep (we were three people) with little more effort in Vernazza. Going by public transport it's different, you are not so flexible and mobile.

Posted by
17646 posts

Ilka, I like to live some place when traveling. There is an aspect you realize that's not easy if you pack up and move every night. Slovakia is small enough and the roads really are very good where you can see a lot in a days drive. I would probably pick Banska Stiavnica and Štrbské Pleso or Poprad.

Posted by
118 posts

Thank you again!! We will be renting a car for this portion of our trip. Is it best to rent car in Vienna and drive to Bratislava and back? It looks much cheaper to rent the car in Bratislava and just take the train back and forth to Vienna. I think we will be flying into Vienna. Is there any problem crossing the border? What is a recommended car rental company? We have only rented a car in Ireland. We have used public transportation everywhere else. After Slovakia we are headed to Prague but will use public transportation from Vienna for that as I don't see a need for a car in Prague for 5 days. Thank you.

Posted by
4637 posts

Rent a car in Bratislava. As you say, it is cheaper. Also if you rent in Bratislava you will already have vignette for Slovakia. If you rent a car in Austria, it will have vignette just for Austria and you will have to buy one for Slovakia yourself. Borders between countries in Schengen zone are like borders between states in USA. You will not even slow down. When you return rental car in Bratislava you do not have to go back to Vienna to get to Prague. Go to Bratislava hlavna stanica (main train station) and catch a direct train to Prague. It does not go via Vienna.

Posted by
118 posts

Thank you very much. We will have to probably go back through Vienna just for the fact we are stopping in Cesky Krumlov before going to Prague. Thank you very much for all the help. What is easiest and quickest way from Bratislava to Cesky Krumlov?

Posted by
42 posts

Hi,

I'm not sure how much you like mountains, but I'd reserve a bit more time to visit High Tatra mountains. This region is amazing and there are many places and trails to explore.
Bratislava is completely uninteresting to me, there's just one castle and that's it.

You may find more info about Slovak Tatras here:
https://overhere.eu/blog/strbske-pleso-and-popradske-pleso-easy-hiking-option-in-slovak-tatra-mountains/
https://overhere.eu/blog/exciting-trail-in-slovak-high-tatra-mountains/
https://overhere.eu/blog/tatra-mountains-slovakia-vs-poland/
https://overhere.eu/blog/unpredictable-high-tatra-mountains/
https://overhere.eu/blog/hiking-in-western-tatras-slovakia/